MANKAYANE town will come alive tomorrow as The Swazi Observer,
Swazi TV and the Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services
(SBIS) brings the best of entertainment during their roadshow.

The three media houses will at the same time be sensitising
participants on the HIV and AIDS pandemic as the theme of the
roadshow is ‘Taking the lead in the fight against HIV, AIDS’.
The Mankayane folks and those to attend will have a chance to
mingle with their favourite radio DJs, TV presenters and The
Swazi Observer personalities during the event.

The likes of Magalela Percival Mtshali, Bongani
‘Sigcokosiyancinca’ Dlamini, Moses ‘Mthetho’ Matsebula, Nelisiwe
Motsa, Phesheya Dube and others from the local radio station
would be at the event.

From Swazi TV, people should be prepared to meet their best
presenters in the likes of Nompumelelo Ntshangase, Bongani
Matsebula, Lenny Shoulder and a lot more.

The Swazi Observer Bheki ‘Gamassaulting’ Gama, Mphikeleli Msibi
and other staff would also be at the event where they will meet
their fans.

There would also be drum majorettes from Mankayane and a soccer
match between the media houses pick team and that area’s social
club. Chairman of the committee tasked with co-ordinating the
whole event, SBIS’ Phesheya Dube, invited Mankayane folks as
well as those from surrounding areas not to miss out on a day of
great fun and entertainment.

“Mankayane folks will not regret coming to this event as it is
not only entertaining but also educational as it touches upon
the fight against the dreaded HIV and AIDS pandemic.

They will surely have the time of their lives and at the same
time have a better understanding of HIV and AIDS,” Dube said.

He noted that a lot of prizes stand to be won by the
participants including condoms, T-shirts and a lot more.

The event will reach other places countrywide since it would be
broadcast live on Swazi TV and SBIS. “The event would be live on
Swazi TV so that the whole of Swaziland can get the message we
want to put across - that of media houses taking the lead in the
fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic,” the chairman said.

The participants would also be educated on the operations of all
the media houses. If you are in or around Mankayane do not
hesitate to visit the town tomorrow. Do not miss out on a chance
to meet your favourite person alities in the media.

The event is free for everyone and starts at 9a.m. The roadshows
will continue next week and the following one at Lavumisa and
Ebuhleni, respectively.

Swazi Times

16 November 2007

No Mzikayise here - Umphakatsi

BY NIMROD MABUZA

MKHWAKHWENI – Traditional authorities at Mkhwakhweni, about 50km
east of Nhlangano, have vowed not to allow Mzikayise Ntshangase
to be buried in the area.

This week the Supreme Court upheld a High
Court decision that Ntshangase should be buried at Mkhwakhweni.

Led by a member of the Royal family, Princess Tsase, who was
assisted by the area’s Indvuna (headman), Jameson Tshabalala,
the authorities said unless a royal directive rescinding an
order for Ntshangase’s eviction was issued, he would not be
buried at Mkhwakhweni. The eviction order was rejected by the
courts.

Princess Tsase is wife to the late Salebona Ntshangase, who held
the reins. It has been alleged that Salebona was an acting chief
and this is the cause of the chieftaincy dispute in the area.

“Let them dare bring him here for burial,” said one old man, in
his strong Zulu accent, who did not look in the best of health.

“Mzikayise is our brother. We know him and we are not refusing
him burial rights. But if he is to be buried here, we want a
directive to that effect from the king. Without an order from
the king, nobody should dare bring his body here for burial,”
insisted Gideon Ntshangase.

With the frequent encouragement from Princess Tsase, who would
exclaim “ha!” each time a question was posed, the men (Princess
Tsase was the only woman in the meeting attended by the area’s
elders) took turns to speak against the return for burial of
Mzikayise Ntshangase.

“He was separated from us by the king and we have not been told
that the problems that forced the king to remove him have been
resolved. We are not saying anything about the court order as we
have nothing to do with it,” said one of the Ntshangase clan
members, but conceded that the press conference was prompted by
the court order.

They refused to entertain some questions or be drawn to comment
about the unlawfulness of their decision. They refused even to
comment on Ntshangase’s (Mzikayise) lineage. Princess Tsase
simply declared that he was not known, but Gideon quickly
intervened and said they were not yet ready to give that
information as their intention was not to expose anybody.

They argued that the death or funeral of Ntshangase had not been
reported to them, but also made it clear that reporting the
death would not influence a change of their decision. They were
also not happy that the High Court inspected the Ntshangase
family graveyard without informing them.

The country has barely come out from the effects of the infamous
November 28, 2002, statement issued by the then Prime Minister,
Sibusiso Dlamini.

Dlamini had declared that government would not abide by a Court
of Appeal decision for the return home of families evicted from
Macetjeni and ka-Mkhweli at the height of a chieftaincy dispute.

Involved in the dispute were Prince Maguga, who had been
appointed traditional leader of the two areas and the deposed
chiefs, Mliba Fakudze and Mtfuso Dlamini, of Macetjeni and ka-Mkhweli
respectively.

The families’ victory in subsequent court battles did not help
them. They were told to return home on condition they subjected
themselves to the authority of Prince Maguga, who had been
appointed chief of the areas.

The evicted families humbled themselves and apologised to Prince
Maguga. Mtfuso remains in exile in South Africa as he refused to
apologise to the prince.

Another court order defied by the government involves the
restoration court’s powers to grant bail. Prisoners who were
subsequently granted bail remained in custody on government’s
orders.

Following government’s decision, Court of Appeal judges resigned
in protest and for two years, the highest court in the land did
not sit. As the country was plunged into a rule of law crisis,
Swaziland became the skunk of the world.

A semblance of the rule of law was restored by the current Prime
Minister Absalom Themba Dlamini.

Swazi
Observer

13 November 2007

Cheques stolen at SNYC - minister
Stories by Njabulo Dlamini

AS the furore on elections of Swaziland National Youth Council (SNYC)
drags on, a board member is said to have stolen cheques from the
organisation.
The conduct of the board member, whose name could not be
established, was reported to the police and investigations are
ongoing.

This was confirmed by Minister of Regional Development and Youth
Affairs Chief Sipho Shongwe in responses tabled in the House of
Assembly yesterday.

The responses are a result of a motion moved by Mtfongwaneni MP
Mfomfo Nkambule and seconded by Mayiwane MP Vusi Dlamini.

Nkambule had wanted to know about the conduct of the SNYC board
and the Chief Executive Officer (Maxwell Jele) in light of
mismanagement of funds within the organisation.

“The SNYC provides quarterly and annual audited statements to
the ministry of regional development and youth affairs showing
that the SNYC conducts its activities and financial spending
patterns in accordance with the decision making authority i.e.
the SNYC general assembly constituted by representatives of the
55 tinkhundla youth associations.”

The minister denied any mismanagement of funds at SNYC, either
by the outgoing chairman (Patrick Gamedze) or the CEO.

On the position of the chairman of the SNYC (MP Prince Mphiwa)
in view of the High Court decision annulling the July 28
elections, the minister said this (position) was not affected.

“This is because the position of the chairman is not elective
but is an appointee of the minister for regional development and
youth affairs as per Article 9.1 sub-section 9.11 of the SNYC
constitution.

“The court verdict only affects the elected board members, the
current chairman holds an instrument that appoints him for a
period of four years. This position is irrespective of the
outcome of the forthcoming elections.”

Minister Shongwe said to complete the elections process takes
three months.

“Following an urgent application by an aggrieved party to the
High Court, the Court ruled that certain clauses of the SNYC
constitution were overlooked during the election process and
took the decision that fresh elections be conducted in
compliance with the SNYC constitution.

“And the High Court ruling declaring the July 28 2007 elections
null and void, the minister has accepted the decision to conduct
fresh elections,” the regional development and youth affairs
minister said.

Swazi Times

13 November 2007

Bongwe is dead

BY NIMRODA MABUZA

EZULWINI – Former Director of the Road Transportation Board and
murder accused John ‘Madzabudzabu’ Bongwe has passed away.

Bongwe, 57, who was awaiting trial for the
murder of his son, Sifiso, whom he shot dead at his Ezulwini
home about two years ago, died on Sunday night at about 11pm.
His death has robbed his family of information regarding why he
shot his son.

Popularly known in soccer circles as ‘Mgcekezi’, a name he
acquired because of his skills, Bongwe who had been sickly for
some time, died in the presence of her daughter – born from an
out of wedlock affair - who had come to check on him.

Bongwe’s eldest daughter Lungile confirmed the death of her
father. She said they were told that her father collapsed at
night and he was taken to hospital where he was certified dead.

Collapsed

According to Lungile, Bongwe had earlier in the day attended a
funeral in the neighbourhood.

“We are told he first collapsed at about 3pm. He later recovered
and at about 11pm, he collapsed again and when he did not
recover he was rushed to hospital, where he was certified dead,”
she said.

Bongwe has been living an almost lonely and sickly life after he
separated with his wife, who moved to Mhlambanyatsi, where she
stayed with her eldest son. This was after Bongwe became violent
towards her and allegedly threatened her with a gun.

The shooting of his son, for reasons not yet explained except
that Bongwe had alleged self-defence, further caused the family
to drift apart. Bongwe’s wife Sibongile was suing him for
maintenance. The matter could not proceed at the High Court
because Bongwe was sick.

Bongwe’s life has been marred by several controversies. After
his football days where he was loved by fans particularly
followers of Mbabane Dribbling Wizards, he was first dragged
into controversy during his days at the Central Transport
Administration (CTA).

A commission of inquiry led by Zimbabwean former judge Enock
Dambutshena had found damning evidence against Bongwe and CTA
senior employees. They were associated with corrupt activities,
costing CTA millions of Emalangeni. The commission had
recommended criminal prosecution against the group.

Criminal

Government, known for its soft approach to corruption, did not
pursue any criminal charges against the culprits. Bongwe was
transferred to the Road Transportation Board, where he was
secretary before assuming the position of director.

At the RTB, he was caught up in another controversy involving
public transport permits. He had a serious confrontation with
the then governor of Ludzidzini, Dibanisa Mavuso.

Mavuso had interfered in a matter decided by the RTB and he
summoned Bongwe to Ludzidzini, where he sought to have the RTB’s
decision reversed. When the matter leaked to the Times of
Swaziland, Mavuso was angry and summoned both Bongwe, the
newspaper’s reporter and management.

The RTB director was accused of leaking the information to the
newspaper, which was chastised for publishing the article
alleging interference by the governor.

The shooting to death of his son in December 2005 was not the
first time he had brushes with the law on murder-related
charges.

Shot

In October 1992, Bongwe, who was visiting a friend at Sidwashini
in Mbabane, shot a man who later died in hospital. Again, he
escaped prosecution because the then Director of Public
Prosecutions, Adinkra Donkoh, ruled that Bongwe shot the man in
self-defence.

It was alleged Bongwe had shot the man as he was trying to break
into a house. There was also evidence that the man had been shot
along the road - a distance away from the house he was allegedly
breaking into.

Two years ago, Bongwe killed his son. Again, the slow wheels of
justice ensured he never stood in a court of law to answer for
his alleged crime.

Swazi
Observer

09 November 2007

QHAWE ORDERED TO PAY GOVERNMENT
By Sabelo Mamba

CHANNEL Swazi boss Qhawe Mamba, who is implicated in the E50
million Job Creation fraud scam, will part with about E4 000 in
respect of legal costs, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday.

Though the Supreme Court never made mention of the
above-mentioned figure, it was gathered from a source that legal
costs range between E3 000 and E4 000.
This follows the filing of a notice of abandonment of judgement
by his lawyer S’dumo Mdladla in a matter in which government was
appealing against a verdict handed down by High Court Judge
Jacobus Annandale.

Judge Annandale issued a verdict directing government to produce
a record of the Commission of Enquiry, which probed the suspect
(Mamba) implicated in the theft of state money.

The commission found Mamba and others including senior
government officials guilty of defrauding the state. The
suspects are presently out on E15 000 bail each.

The notice of abandonment was filed on October 13, this year.

Supreme Court Judges Browde, Tebbutt and Ramodibedi observed
that there was a dispute of facts in this matter.

The judges subsequently ruled that government was entitled to
costs.

John Magagula, of the Attorney General’s office, was appearing
for government employees include former Principal Secretary in
the Finance Ministry Musa Fakudze, former Examination Registrar
Dr. Ben Dlamini, Thembani Simelane, Nonhlanhla Dlamini and
Sabelo Mavuso, to mention a few. Government has since obtained
an order for attachment of their immovable properties and their
bank accounts were also frozen. The fraud case against them is
pending at the High Court.

Mamba was heard in the morning Radio talk-show saying government
would eventually pay him, presumably for what he perceives as
unlwaful arrest.

When asked by the hosts if he implicated that he would win the
case, he could not come clear on his stance.

Also to have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the capacity
building fund that was set up after the Job Creation Summit,
were former Principal Secretary of Finance Musa Fakudze,
government officers, Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Tsembani Simelane, Dr
Ben Dlamini, Sabelo Mavuso and Sebenzile Tango.

Swazi Times

09 November 2007

‘Slain JV was assaulted’

BY INNOCENT MAPHALALA

MBABANE – Jabulani Mkhwanazi, who was killed supposedly by
accident when a gun belonging to former gospel singer Thulani
Ntshangase went off, had fresh wounds on the forehead and below
the eye.

His distraught family has analysed these
wounds and come to the conclusion that he was assaulted before
he died.

What is not clear to the family is whether he was assaulted
before or after he got shot.

The man who ‘accidentally’ shot him is Mbekezeli Dlamini, who
has been charged with murder.

However, he is out of custody on bail. Jabulani, who was widely
known as JV, was shot on the left of the head, next to the ear.

His family, represented by elder brother Emmanuel, says the
injuries on the front of the face are not consistent with any
impact that may have been caused by the bullet. “One of the
wounds is just below the left eye,” said Emmanuel, who has
photographic evidence to back his claim.

“The other is a big scar on the forehead. If he was shot on the
left of the head, what caused the scars on the forehead and
above the eye?” The Mkhwanazi family believes that the impact of
the bullet would have caused the victim to fall sideways and not
face flat. The background of the matter is that JV was killed on
Wednesday, October 10, 2007.

Accounts of the events that led to his death are contradictory.

One version is that he was shot while inside a car that was
being driven by Ntshangase.

This account has it that the deceased was with three other
people in the car when they stopped to speak to a policeman
friend, Papa Gevore. It is said that JV was shot accidentally
when the illegal gun in Mbekezeli’s hand ‘accidentally’ went
off. The other version is that the deceased was out of the car
when he was shot. The family wants to take the matter up by
applying for fresh investigations into the death of the Tum’s
Group of Companies accountant.

The family says the police have failed to investigate this
matter properly, but decided to take the word of those who were
present.

Police PRO Superintendent Vusie Masuku earlier stated that the
accused was charged with murder because a person got killed.

He said the suspect was not charged with culpable homicide, even
though he claims the death was accidental.

The court will have to decide if the death was accidental or
not.

The family is worried that some of the evidence may be
overlooked, resulting in the suspect escaping with a minor
sentence.

After this incident, Ntshangase, who was the lead singer for
Courageous Gospel Group, was charged with possession of an
illegal firearm.

Swazi
Observer

08 November 2007

ROYALTY'S E1m FOR POOR
By Bheki Gama

HIS Majesty King Mswati III, through the Usuthu Royal Trust,
donated E1 million towards building a clinic at KaZondwako near
Bhunya.

The donation was presented by Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Ndumiso Mamba, who represented His Majesty. Mamba is also Tibiyo
TakaNgwane Chief Executive Officer (CEO). His Majesty’s donation
will cover the construction costs, four houses for nurses and
fencing.
It will also pay for electricity and water installations. Mamba
recalled that the Usuthu Royal Trust was established in 1998. He
said the aim was to look at and address the welfare of the
communities neighbouring SAPPI Usuthu Forest who were also
affected by the Emakhowe project. He explained that the trustees
came from Tibiyo TakaNgwane and SAPPI Usuthu.

“The King has also donated the money to help develop the five
Tinkhundla centres,” he said, mentioning that the King donated
E160 000 to be shared amongst the five Tinkhundla centres
bordering SAPPI Usuthu Forest. He explained that from the
donation, communities would get funding for developmental
projects. He said each community was expected to submit project
proposals to the Usuthu Royal Trust before the funds could be
dispatched. Mamba also praised SAPPI Usuthu personnel, who also
serve in the Usuthu Royal Trust Board for donating all their
sitting allowances towards the fund for community projects.
Mamba said His Majesty would have loved to attend the
presentation ceremony in person but, due to pressing matters of
state, he could not make it. He then warned against misuse of
funds.

He said the E1 million donation meant that the job to build the
clinic had already begun. The CEO then appealed to the Health
and Social Welfare Minister, Njabulo Mabuza, to consider
including the new clinic in next year's budget.

Mamba also promised that the donation was only the beginning,
adding that more was yet to come.

Mabuza thanked His Majesty for the project, mentioning that the
ministry wanted communities to have access to a health facility
within every eight kilometres. He then appealed to the local
people to avail themselves and provide labour during the
construction phase. “This would be a sign that the project is
accepted,” he said. He promised that the clinic would be fitted
with equipment, fencing and staff. “The ministry will support
the project by supplying nurses and equipment,” he pledged.

He said it was supposed to have been built by his ministry but,
due to scarcity of funds, that remained a dream. He then
appealed to all to guard against starting wild fires, which
compromised the financial position of SAPPI Usuthu.

According to the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), Petros
Mavimbela, the nearest clinic was situated about 21 kilometres
away, at Luyenyo. He also said at times, the ill would be taken
to Mangcongco clinic situated about 24 kilomentres the other
direction. The MP said talks concerning the project started
before he was elected to parliament, back in 1996.

He chaired the first clinic committee and has continued in that
position to date. He said the clinic was finally agreed upon
between his committee and SAPPI Usuthu in 2005. Mavimbela said
later, Usuthu Royal Trust co-opted him and made him project
manager. I designed the building and would supervise the
construction of the project,” he said. He said the Usuthu Royal
Trust appointed the contractor, the Matsapha-based Answa Civils.
He said the company was the lowest bidder amongst a total of
four, which tendered for the project. He said it tendered for
E1.4 million but after negotiations the figure was reduced to
E1.059 million. He said the constructing phase was projected to
be over in three months.

MPs from the other four Tinkhundla centres were also present.
These were Vulindlela Msibi, Vincent Dlamini, Elijah Shongwe and
Patrick Pha Motsa. The chief of the area, Velamuva Maseko,
thanked His Majesty for the clinic. He also warned his subjects
to guard against wild fires. He then appealed for a high school
in the area.

The Mliba police were called to investigate
the homestead that had been turned into a sex den by four
teenagers, who recently dropped out of school in ‘pursuit of
happiness’.

Swaziland has one of the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rates
in the world and the vulnerable youth are among the most
affected.

Residents blew the whistle on the sex workers after they spotted
men regularly visiting the homestead. They became suspicious of
their activity, as most of the time the girls lived there alone.

It is said that the residents reported the matter to the local
Umphakatsi before notifying the police, who, after raiding the
homestead yesterday, took two girls in for questioning.

They later returned for the others, who were not at the
homestead when the police arrived earlier.

The girls are aged between 14 and 17 years. It was established
that poverty played a role in their vulnerability as they would
visit Croydon to meet males whom they would convince to buy them
food and alcohol. They said the men would then ask for sexual
favours and the girls would not refuse as they felt obliged to
pay in kind.

It was gathered that the girls would take the men to the
two-roomed house at Dvokolwako.

Here, sources reveal, the girls would have sexual intercourse
with the men in one room after buying them alcohol. The girls
have regular clients, though the men can pick any of them in the
event their preferred girls are not around.

An older woman, who shared one of the two rooms with the girls,
is said to have been oblivious of their actions as most of the
time she would either be asleep or at work.

Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Vusi Masuku
confirmed that the police received a report that a certain
homestead had been turned into a brothel.

He said the police were investigating the matter, but also
mentioned that the police under the Domestic Violence and Child
Protection Unit counselled the girls.

Swazi
Observer

07 November 2007

Sorry: Ernest tells parents, pupils
By Njabulo Dlamini

DIRECTOR and Principal of Pro-Learning Tuition Centre Ernest
Magongo has apologised to the ministry of education, parents,
pupils, Christian fraternity and nation at large for eloping
when he was needed the most.
Cool and confident as ever, Magongo said his disappearance was
because of pressure mounted by failure to raise exam fees for 85
pupils, thus failing to beat the deadline.

They were able to raise fees for only 120 pupils instead of the
205 total.

His school was owing Exams Council E65 600 in penalties alone

and the E73 800 paid proved insufficient as a result of this.

“I would like to convey my sincere apologies to the parents,
students and the ministry of education for what happened. This
was not planned but sometimes things do not go the way one had
anticipated.

“I would like to inform my students that I don’t blame them for
the damage they caused to our property. They were forced by
circumstances,” Magongo said, when speaking at a press
conference convened at his school yesterday.

He thanked God that the matter has ‘finally been resolved’ with
the help of ministry of education, Exams Council of Swaziland
and parliament.

“Special thanks go to our lawyer Zonke Magagula for the big role
that he played during the negotiations, my family, the academic
and ancillary staff at Pro-Learning, the Christian fraternity
for their prayers and support during these trying times”.

He said their centre only provided tuition, for O’ level pupils,
and they (pupils) had to find their own exam centres.

“We would like to assure all concerned that Pro-Learning is here
to stay. Pro-Learning is one of a few private schools owned and
run by a qualified Swazi teacher. As a born and bred Swazi, I
have no other home except Swaziland. We have always and are
committed to providing quality education to our students.

“We are committed to seeing to it that we make Pro-Learning to
be among the top five schools in Swaziland in the next three
years,” he said.

Attempts to get comments from the Exams Council acting registrar
proved futile.

Meanwhile, Goodman Kunene, Principal Secretary at the Ministry
of Education, said he was unaware of the issue since he had been
away and was yet to receive a briefing.

Then acting education minister Lutfo Dlamini had informed
parliament government had resolved the matter by paying for the
pupils and thus they were expected to sit for exams.

He said in the meantime, the search for Magongo’s whereabouts
would continue.

Swazi Times

07 November 2007

His Majesty warns overweight officers

BY ARTHUR MORDUNT

MATSAPHA _ His Majesty King Mswati III has warned against
potbellies and drunkenness among the police.

The king said members of the Royal Swaziland
Police (RSP) had to always be in shape. He said it would be
disappointing to see members of the security force with big
stomachs.

His Majesty was speaking yesterday during the triple
celebrations of the police, which were held at the Matsapha
Police College.

The celebrations comprised a police centenary, (from 1907-2007),
a police day and a pass out parade.

In particular, the king’s advice was directed at the young
officers who were graduating from the college.

The king stated that he was impressed with their physical
appearance and stated that it would be a shame if, a few years
from now, they would have drooping bellies.

He stated, for instance, that he was not the only person
impressed with the physical shape of the force.

He told the gathering about a foreign guest he had who was so
impressed by the physical prowess of the local police that he
had even insinuated that there might some voodoo used for
training the police.

The king also cautioned the police on a number of traps they
might fall into while executing their duties.

Said the king: “Let me warn you that you will be facing the
realities of practical policing as you meet people who will
entice you with a variety of things in an attempt to sway you
from the oath that you have just taken. You must always be
careful not to fall prey to such cunning individuals. As a
police officer you must make sure that you associate with good
friends.

“You must always avoid the use of liquor and intoxicating
substances. In short, you must guard against engaging in
behavior that is at odds with police norms or code of conduct
because such behavior would not only harm your reputation, but
would also damage and compromise the image of the police
service.”

His Majesty also had advice for senior officers saying they
should humble themselves and learn new policing methods from
their new colleagues.

Likewise, he advised the younger generation not to despise their
older colleagues.

Swazi
Observer

06 November 2007

20 cattle stolen at Maphungwane
By Hlengiwe Ndlovu

A herd of 20 cows belonging to a Mdlovu homestead of Maphungwane
was stolen last week by a group of cattle rustlers.
The matter was reported to the police and the cattle have not
been found as yet.

Lieutenant Khanya Dlamini who is the army PRO said a total of
five Mozambican nationals who had attempted to illegally enter
the Lomahasha and Maphiveni border posts without the necessary
documents were arrested recently.

He also reported that a sum of E15 880 was pending in payment to
Swazi customs for the month of October. The PRO, on the other
hand reported that a stolen Nissan Cabster which was stolen at
Siweni Railway station was recovered by the army and the matter
was later handed to the Simunye Police station for further
investigation. Dlamini said the army was dedicated and alert
whilst executing its duties. He said any threats to peace and
stability would stimulate the defence force to move its forces
to troubled areas, where the lives of the country’s citizens
were continuosly violated by border violators. He added that the
defence force appreciated the relationship that exists with
communities in its operational areas.

Other stolen items recovered by the army include:

two bags of Growing Mash

Packets of 500g popcorns

four cases of meat

15 dozen eggs

10 2 litres cooking oil

bananas

biscuits

10kg potatoes

50 used clothes

55 emahiya

20 pairs of new shoes

138 used clothes

205 groceries

three sets of cosmetics.

Swazi Times

06 November 2007

Four killed by lightning

BY MUSA NHLEKO

MANZINI – Four people were killed by lightning in separate
incidents yesterday.

Two were pupils of Sinceni Primary School,
while the other are two grown-up men, who were killed while
enjoying traditional beer with their friends. Sources close to
the matter at Sinceni told the Times that the fatality happened
at around 3pm during a storm. The rural area of Sinceni is
situated next to Sithobelweni.

By the time of compiling this report, telephone lines and the
cellular phone network in the area were also affected by the
lightning, and it was not possible to get details of the
incident.

At least 10 other pupils were rushed to Sithobelweni Clinic for
injuries and trauma.

It was gathered that there was a brief delay in ferrying the
pupils as there was no driver for the clinic’s ambulance.

Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Vusi Masuku
confirmed the death of the two pupils.

Meanwhile the two men are aged 45 and 50, and were also struck
dead by lightning at Matsanjeni yesterday evening. According to
the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Vusi Masuku,
the two were struck and killed while enjoying traditional beer
with four others. One female, believed to have been running the
drinking spot, was rushed to Matsanjeni Clinic in a critical
condition.

Swazi
Observer

02 November 2007

EKHAYA! MFANASIBILI AXED FROM SEB
By Alec Lushaba

Prince Mfanasibili, the nine-day Acting SEB
Board of Directors’ chairman, was yesterday
fired from his position, amid the crisis he
allegedly created last week.

A special Cabinet sitting yesterday resolved to
dismiss the prince and replaced him with one who
will reign over the multi-million Emalangeni
public enterprise.
Replacing him is African Alliance Managing
Director Sthofeni Ginindza. Other new board
members are Swaziland Sugar Association CEO
Prof. Mike Matsebula, Princess Msindvose and
Nazarene Nursing College Rector Dr. Winnie
Nhlengethwa.

They are now joining Khanyi Mabuza, Paul
Hamilton, Henry Shongwe from Natural Resources
and Energy and Fitzgerald Graham from Finance.

Prince Mfanasibili’s offence is understood to
have been his last Tuesday’s action which was
viewed to be in support of the unions that had
embarked on an illegal strike in an industry
that is classified as essential.

Hardly 24 hours after his appointment into the
position of being acting Chairman, Prince
Mfanasibili called a crisis meeting of the Board
and the SEB unions at Tums George Hotel where a
decision was taken to unconditionally withdraw
the Court Order concerning NESMASA executive.

Further, it was resolved in that meeting that
the issue of NESMASA and SESMAWU membership
appearance before the KPMG Forensic Audit shall
be put on hold until the Board addresses
concerns raised by the two.

Principal Secretary in the ministry of natural
resources and energy Lucy Dlamini declined to
comment on the changes yesterday, saying only
the minister Dumsile Sukati, can comment on the
issue.

However, several attempts to get Sukati or the
Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane’s comment
proved futile as their mobile phones were not
answered.

Meanwhile, Prince Mfanasibili when contacted
said he was not aware of the latest
developments.

“I have not yet heard anything regarding the
changes. I have not received any communication,”
he said.

aware

The prince said as far as he was aware, his term
of office was only to expire in March 2009.

“If what you are saying is true, then, it means
we must have done something terrible wrong. So
at this stage, I cannot comment much on the
matter, as I am yet to receive the letter from
the minister stating the reasons why my services
were terminated,” Prince Mfanasibili said.

The Swazi Observer can reveal with authority
that such an action or decision proved to be too
difficult for the SEB managing director and his
management team to carry as already it was a
matter for the courts.

The NESMASA executive is now faced with contempt
of court charges.

In fact, the union leaders will appear before
the Industrial Court President Peter Dunseith
this morning to hear the outcome of their
contempt charges and further make a
determination on SEB’s application to end the
illegal strike action.

The Swazi Observer can reveal that during their
'illegal' strike action last week, the union
members attempted to sabotage the company senior
management by switching off electricity in
targeted critical areas like Lozitha, Ludzidzini
Royal Residence and surrounding areas and Pine
Valley.

It is said that the aim was to create a crisis
situation, and depicting the MD and his team as
failing to bring under control the situation.

Pine Valley, it is said, was targeted because
that is the home of Industrial Court President
Peter Dunseith, who had issued an order to the
effect that the illegal strike action be stopped
pending the return of the matter to court for
full hearing.

When sought for comment on his appointment, the
African Alliance MD, could only confirm that he
heard the rumours, but nothing was officially
communicated to him.

“For now, it is a rumour and I will be in a
position to comment once I have been officially
informed,” Ginindza said.

The Swazi Observer can confirm that other than
Prince Mfanasibili, all the other members were
retained.

It was gathered that a full SEB board of
directors' quota is made of nine people
including the MD, hence the additional four
appointments were made to fill the gap and
replace recently departed chairman Gerhard
Landmark.

The Swazi Observer also gathered that Prince
Mfanasibili's attempt to meet His Majesty was
unsuccessful on Wednesday evening.

Swazi Times

02 November 2007

Brave security guard shoots burglar dead

By NATHI GULE

SALEM – A brave security guard took on three
burglars and shot one dead in the head using a
principal’s hunting rifle on Wednesday night.

The Hlathikulu Central School principal owns the
unfenced grocery store that was being broken
into by the three men not too far from the
school.

This is the umpteenth killing of a suspect
criminal over the past two months and the cases
of such shootings spiralled after the killing of
most wanted suspect Ntokozo Ngozo in August.

Intuition guided Samuel Dlamini to give his
normally unarmed security guard, Malambe Mdluli,
after he spotted a group of men smoking dagga
next to his store on Monday.

The security guard lives in one of the rooms in
the four-roomed brown and white coloured grocery
store.

On Wednesday at about 10pm, Mdluli said his
sleep was interrupted by the sound of footsteps
and voices outside.

“I heard the corrugated iron sheets being
removed and two men jumped into the grocery
store. I grabbed my rifle and stood on guard,
while peeping through a hole we had made to see
inside the main room. When one of the
unsuspecting thieves came towards a fridge next
to the open space I took aim and fired. He
dropped dead,” said the guard.

He said, ‘guided by God,’ he then went out and
opened fire at the two other robbers who were
now trying to gain entry into his room. They
took to their heels immediately and are
currently on the run.

Mdluli said on the day of the shooting he did
unusual things like praying before going on duty
and not listening to any radio.